Rail Drive Duct Connection System

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for joining high pressure ducts has a first and second bar secured to adjacent to be joined ducts. A coupling mechanism having a U-shape is frictionally engaged onto the first and second bar. An end of the coupling mechanism frictionally engages the surface of the bar members so that the coupling mechanism is slidably removably connected to the first and second bars.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/701,016, filed Feb. 5, 2010. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication(s) is (are) incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to high pressure duct work and, moreparticularly, to an apparatus for joining adjacent ducts.

BACKGROUND

High pressure duct work is utilized in numerous environments. Generally,the duct work is hung from the building. The duct work has a largediametrical size and requires joining of adjacent portions of duct work.In order to join the duct work portions, precision alignment isrequired. Adjacent ducts include flanges with a plurality of holes. Theholes are aligned with one another. Next, rings are positioned alongside the flanges to provide reinforcement and additional clampingsurface. The rings include a plurality of holes to align with the holesof the flanges. A plurality of bolts is passed through the rings andflanges to secure the duct portions with one another.

This process of connecting adjoining duct work portions, whilesatisfactorily sealing the two ducts portions with one another, is verytime consuming and labor intensive. It requires exact positioning of theduct work portions as well as the reinforcing rings. Thus, it isdesirable to have an apparatus for joining high pressure ducts thatreduce the time to join the duct portions together as well as lesseningthe time it takes to connect them together.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide anapparatus to join high pressure duct portions that is not laborintensive. The present disclosure provides an apparatus that reduces thetime to join adjacent duct portions. The present apparatus enablesconnecting members to slidably frictionally engage the duct workportions. The apparatus enables the connection to be easily releasable.

According to the present disclosure, an apparatus for joining highpressure ducts comprises a first bar adapted to be fixed with the firstduct. The first bar includes a first member with a surface to securewith the first duct. The second member extends from the first member.The second member has a surface to secure with a coupling mechanism. Asecond bar is adapted to be fixed with a second duct. The second barincludes a first member with a surface to secure with the second duct Asecond member extends from the first member. The second member has asurface to secure with the coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanismhas an overall U-shape with legs that oppose one another and includeturned up ends. The turned up ends mate with the surfaces of the secondmember of the first and second bars. The turned up ends frictionallyengage the surface of the second members so that the coupling mechanismis slidably removably connected with the first and second bars. Asealing gasket is positioned between the first and second bars. Thefirst and second bars and coupling mechanism corresponds to a number ofsides of the to be connected ducts. A plurality of corner connectorsprohibit the coupling mechanism from traveling beyond the first andsecond bars. A second coupling mechanism is coupled with the firstcoupling mechanism, in an inverted position, so that webs of the U areback to back. The second coupling mechanism receives the connectors.

In accordance with a second aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus tojoin high pressure ducts comprises a plurality of first bar members. Theplurality corresponds to the number of sides of the to be joined ducts.Each first bar member include a first member having a surface to securewith a first duct. A second member extends from the first member. Thesecond member has a surface to secure with a coupling mechanism. Aplurality of second bar members corresponds to the number of the firstbar members. Each second bar member includes a first member having asurface to secure with the second duct. A second member extends from thefirst member. The second member has a surface to secure with thecoupling mechanism. A plurality of coupling mechanisms couple theplurality of first and second bar members together. Each couplingmechanism has an overall U-shape with the legs that oppose one another.The legs include turned in ends to mate with the surface of the secondmembers of the first and second bar members. The turned in endsfrictionally engage the surfaces of the second members so that thecoupling mechanism slidably removably connected with the first andsecond bar members. A plurality of connectors prohibit overextending ofadjacent ends of the first bar and second bar members. The apparatus issubstantially continuous about the to be joined ducts. Each couplingmechanism includes a second coupling mechanism coupled with the firstcoupling mechanism. The second coupling mechanism is in an invertedposition so that webs of the Us are back to back. Connectors are coupledwith the second coupling mechanism.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, a method to join highpressure ducts comprises positioning a pair of ducts to be joinedtogether adjacent one another. The ducts have a configuration with aplurality of sides. A plurality of first bar members and second barsmembers are provided. The number of the pluralities correspond to thenumber of sides of the ducts. The first bar members are permanentlyaffixed to one of the ducts. The second bar members are permanentlyaffixed to the other duct. The first and second bar members are coupledwith one another with a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism isslid onto the first and second bar members such that ends of thecoupling mechanism mate with surfaces of the second member of the firstand second bar members to join the ducts together. The first and secondbar members are welded to the ducts. Connectors prohibit overextensionof adjacent first bar and second bar members at their ends. A seal ispositioned between the first and second bar members. The couplingmechanisms are removably slidably connected with the first and secondbar members.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joint connection in accordance withpresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an end connection of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the end connection.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view like FIG. 3 of an additional embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a connector mechanism for theapparatus of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Turning to figures, an apparatus to join adjacent ducts 12 and 14 isillustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The ducts 12,14 are substantially identical and have a desired polygonalcross-section. They are illustrated with a rectangular cross-section inFIG. 1. The ducts 12, 14 include ends 16, 18, respectively. The ends 16,18 define a perimeter of the ducts 12, 14. Thus, the end 16, 18 providea peripheral connection for the apparatus 10 as described herein.

The apparatus 10 to join the ducts 12, 14 includes a plurality of firstbars, each designated with the reference numeral 20, a plurality ofsecond bars, each designated with the reference numeral 22, and aplurality of connecting mechanisms, each designated with the referencenumeral 24. The first and second bars 20 and 22 are substantiallyidentical and will be explained referring to a single bar.

The bar 20 includes a first member 26 and a second member 28. Bothmembers are elongated and both have an overall rectangular cross-sectionas illustrated in FIG. 3. The second member 28 extends from the firstmember 26. The second member 28 may be welded to or integrally orunitarily formed with the first member 26. Preferably, the bars 20 areone piece cold drawn steel. The first and second members 26, 28 give thebar 20 an overall L-shaped configuration when viewed in cross-section inFIG. 3. The first member 26 includes a surface 30 that is positioned onor adjacent to the end 16 of the duct 12. A weld 32 secures the firstmember 26 with the duct 12. The weld 32 is preferably continuous alongthe first member 26. The second member 28 includes a surface 34 thatsecures with the coupling mechanism 24 as will be discussed later. Thesurface 34 is angled upward from horizontal at about 1°

The second plurality of bars 22 has the same configuration as that ofthe first plurality of bars 20. Thus, corresponding elements areidentified with the same reference numerals including a prime.

The coupling mechanisms 24, 25 have an overall U-shape in cross-section.The coupling mechanisms 24, 25 each include legs 36, 38 joined by a web40. The coupling mechanisms 24, 25 have an overall elongated rectangularshape as seen in FIG. 2. The coupling mechanism 24, 25 are manufacturedfrom metal and may be Unistrut® members cut to size. The legs 36, 38oppose one another. Each leg 36, 38 includes a turned in or up member42, 44. The turned in members 42, 44 include a flange portion 46, 48 andan extending portion 50, 52. The flange portions 46, 48 extend from thelegs 36, 38, respectively. The extending portions 50, 52 project towardsthe web 40 and are generally parallel to the legs 36, 38. The turned inportions 42, 44 are integrally or unitarily formed with the legs 36, 38,respectively. The end of the extending portions 50, 52 frictionallyengage the surfaces 34, 34′ of the bar members 20, 22, as illustrated inFIG. 3. Thus, the coupling mechanisms 24, 25 simultaneously frictionallyengage both bar members 20, 22. The coupling mechanisms 24, 25 areremovably slid onto the bar members 20, 22. The ends of the projectingportions 50, 52 of the upturned ends 42, 44 engage the surfaces 34, 34′of the bar members 20, 22. This engagement holds the coupling mechanisms24. 25 together with the bar members 20, 22.

A seal 54 is positioned between the first members 26, 26′ of the bars20, 22. The seal 54 provides additional sealing to the duct work. Theseal 54 generally has a ring shape corresponding to the ductconfiguration. Here, the seal 54 has a rectangular ring shapecorresponding to the rectangular shape of the ducts.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the end connectors 60, 62 of the couplingmechanisms 24 are illustrated. In the rectangular duct configurationshown. Three of the coupling mechanisms 24 include the end connectors60, 62. The other coupling mechanisms 25 has one opened end and onecovered end like connector 62. The coupling mechanisms 24 include afirst end connector 60 and a second end connector 62. The first endconnector 60 includes a tab 64 that projects from one end of thecoupling mechanism 24. The tab 64 abuts against an end of the adjoiningcoupling mechanism 25. The tab 64 prohibits further overextendingmovement of the adjoining coupling mechanism 24 as illustrated inFIG. 1. Thus, the adjoining coupling mechanism 25 cannot extend beyondthe adjoining coupling mechanism 24.

The second end 62 includes a plate 66. The plate 66 is positionedperpendicular to the coupling mechanism 24. The plate 66 cuts off orterminates the U-shaped opening of the coupling mechanism 24. The plate66 and adjoining coupling mechanism 25 are illustrated in FIG. 1. Theplate 66 prohibits continued overextending movement of the adjoiningcoupling mechanism 25. The web 40 abuts the plate 66 prohibiting furthermovement of the adjoining coupling mechanism 25. Thus, the couplingmechanisms 24 with their ends 60, 62 provide a substantially continuousapparatus about the ducts 12, 14, as seen in FIG. 1.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, an additional embodiment is illustrated. InFIG. 6, a cross-section of the apparatus 10′ is shown. The bar members20, 22 are the same as previously described. Thus, the bar members 20,22 are identified with the same reference numerals. The couplingmechanism 124 is different. The coupling mechanism 124 includes twoU-shaped members 126, 128 like those described above. The U-shapedmembers 126, 128 are substantially identical to one another. TheU-shaped members 126, 128 include legs 136, 138 and webs 140. Theupturned members 142, 144 are like those previously described. Thedifference is that the two U-shaped members 126, 128 are positioned withthe webs 140 back to back to one another so that one U-shape member 128is inverted on the other U-shaped member 126. This type of connectingmechanism is utilized in high pressure applications.

A connector mechanism for connecting these coupling mechanisms 124 isillustrated in FIG. 7. Here the connector mechanism 160 has an overallL-shape. The connector mechanism 160 includes a housing 162, a fixed leg164 and a movable leg 166. The housing 160 is U-shaped and has the samefeatures as the coupling 24. The legs 164, 166 have an overall U-shapein cross-section to fit within the legs 136, 138 of the U-shape member128 of the coupling mechanism 124. The leg 164 is fit into the U-shapemember 128 with its web 170 riding along web 140 of the couplingmechanism 124. Movable leg 166 includes legs 172, 174 as well as web176. The movable leg 166 is slidable in the U-shaped housing 162. Thefixed leg 164 is slid into the U-shaped member 128. The movable legportion 166 is moved up out of engagement with the adjacent couplingmechanism 124. The movable leg 166 is moved into the adjacent U-shapedmember 128. Thus, the corner connection 160 is coupled with bothadjacent coupling mechanism 124. This forms a continuous apparatus 10about the duct work 12, 14.

A method for connecting ducts 12, 14 will be explained. The adjacentpair of ducts 12, 14 is joined together by providing a plurality offirst 20 and second bar 22 members. The first 20 and second bar 22members are welded onto the ducts 12, 14. The seal 54 may be positionedbetween the bar members 20, 22. The first 20 and second plurality 22 ofbar members is permanently affixed by welding the surfaces 30, 30′ ontothe ducts 12, 14. The coupling mechanisms 24, 25 are frictionallyengaged with the bar members 20, 22. The coupling mechanisms 24, 25 areslid onto the first and second bar members 20, 22. The upturned ends 42,44 of the coupling mechanisms contact the surfaces 34, 34′ of the secondmember 28, 28′ of the first and second bar members 20, 22. This joinsthe ducts 12, 14 together. If coupling mechanism 124 is used, theconnector mechanisms 160 join the adjacent coupling members 124together. This forms a continuous apparatus 10′ about the ducts 12, 14.

The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature andthus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure areintended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for joining high pressure ductscomprising: a pair of ducts to be joined together, the ducts having aconfiguration with a plurality of sides; providing a plurality of firstbar members, said plurality corresponding to the number of sides of saidducts, each first bar including a first member having a surface forsecuring with a first duct, a second member extending from said firstmember, said second member having a surface for securing with a couplingmechanism; providing a plurality of second bar members, said pluralityof second bar members corresponding to the number of first bar members,each said second bar member including a first member having a surfacefor securing with a second duct, a second member extending from saidfirst member, said second member having a surface for securing with thecoupling mechanism; permanently affixing said plurality of first barmembers to said first duct; permanently affixing said plurality of saidsecond bar members to the second duct; coupling said first and secondbar members together with the coupling mechanism by sliding saidcoupling mechanism onto said first and second bar members such that endsof said coupling mechanism mate with surfaces of said second members ofsaid first and second bar members; and joining the ducts together. 2.The method according to claim 1, further comprising welding said firstand second bar members to said first and second ducts.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising connecting ends of saidplurality of first bars, second bars and coupling mechanisms with oneanother.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingpositioning a seal between said first and second bars.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising removably sliding said couplingmechanisms onto said first and second bars.